Rs 19cr Dibru-Saikhowa Wilderness Project: Frustrated Locals Demand Justice, Accountability and Revival

Rs 19 crore Dibru-Saikhowa National Park project lies in disarray, locals demand action

A Rs 19 crore state-of-the-art tourism project, touted as a game-changer for the region’s tourism sector, lies abandoned and neglected in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park in Tinsukia district. The project, completed in 2021, has been unutilized for over four years, leaving locals frustrated and the infrastructure damaged.

The ambitious project was envisioned under the Swadesh Darshan scheme as part of the Manas-Pobitora-Nameri-Kaziranga-Pani Dihing-Dibru Saikhowa Wildlife Circuit. The complex was to feature a tourist log hut, cafeteria, information centre, handicraft exhibition centre, watchtowers, and eco-camp. However, despite its completion, the complex remains uninaugurated, and its buildings are now in disarray, with weeds and creepers overgrowing the structures, and peeling paint marring its once-pristine exterior.

The New Rangagara Anchalik Milan Sangha, a local youth organization, has launched a fresh drive to draw the government’s attention to the issue. The organization has submitted a memorandum to the local authorities and tourism department, urging immediate action to dedicate the project to the public benefit of the local community.

"This is heartbreaking to see such a beautiful project go to waste. The government spent crores to build this infrastructure, which is now covered in weeds. We urge Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to inaugurate the project for the benefit of the local community. For a state actively promoting tourism as a key economic driver, allowing a completed project of this magnitude to rot away sends the wrong message to investors and visitors alike," said Hemanta Gohain, a member of the New Rangagara Anchalik Milan Sangha.

The project’s abandonment has raised concerns about the region’s tourism potential and the government’s commitment to reviving the sector. With the region’s economy heavily dependent on tourism, locals argue that the project’s abandonment is a lost opportunity for economic growth and job creation.

As the situation remains unchanged, the local community continues to face disappointment and frustration. In this digital age, it’s imperative for the government to take immediate action to revive and utilize this project, fostering a brighter future for the region’s economy and local residents.

Key points:

• Rs 19 crore Dibru-Saikhowa National Park project lies abandoned and neglected in Tinsukia district.
• The project was completed in 2021, but remains unutilized for over four years.
• Locals are demanding action to revitalize the project, citing its potential to boost tourism and create jobs.
• The New Rangagara Anchalik Milan Sangha has launched a campaign to draw government attention to the issue.
• The project’s abandonment is seen as a lost opportunity for economic growth and job creation in the region.

Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/rs-19cr-dibru-saikhowa-tourism-project-lies-abandoned-locals-demand-action/articleshow/118604922.cms
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Publish Date: 2025-02-27 17:42:00